Means for securing dust caps for valve stems



Feb.- 8 1927.

MEANS FOR sncunme DUST cAPs FOR wmvs STEMS Filed Aug. 5. 1926 anpehto a v I aftozml q 1,617,299; F. W. BENTON Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

one sr rs 1.61 was FRANK w. BENTON, or WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA.

I Application filed 'August5, 1926. Serial No. 127,397.

v 'This invention relates to detachable dust caps for tire valve stems and'has for one of its objects to improve the general construc tion of devices of this character by embodying in the organization thereof means for locking thecap in positive association with the valve stem to resist loosening and accidental detachment thereof, and also to include in the improvement exteriorly located means for releasing the cap when it is desired to detach the same for giving access to the valve stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide a detachable dustcap for "valve stems having securing means for the cap carried by and removable with the cap from thevalve stem, and also to provide means in connection with the securing means for excluding dust, grit and the like from the valve stem. v V

With the foregoingand other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the severalparts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing: 7 r e Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of the improved dust cap and fastening and dust excluding means carried thereby and shown applied and in'locked position relatively'to' a valve stem of well known form;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. '1, showing the locking means released; I

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3.3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the locking means and dust'fexcluding washer associated therewith.

The numeral 5 designates a valve stem of usual form having a removable cap 6'at its upper end, the body of the stem being formed with exterior screw-threads 7 as in the ordinary type of device of this class. The general form of the dust cap 8 is similar to caps ordinarily used with the exception that the body thereof near the. lower extremity is formed with a plurality of slots 9 and the lower extremity has an outstruck rior of the dust/cap butmayy'be'readily operated to effect a locking attachment or a release of the dust cap relatively to the stemr5. r

' The most essential feature of the present invention consists of locking means mounted within the dustcap and removable and also replaceable with said cap when the latter is withdrawn from or applied over the valve stem. This locking means comprisesa circular base band 14 having-vertically extending arms 15 continuous with and rising from the upper edge thereof. The upper extremities of the arms 15 are formed as catch members 16 of practically the same contour as the semi-conical corrugation 13 of the slide ring, each catch member having a lower base 17 approximately at right-angles to its arm and continuing into an upwardly and inwardly inclined bend 18, which terminates in an inwardly, approximately rightangular grip 19, which is adapted to be pressed into a portion of the threads 7 of the stem 5. The base band 14, arms 15 and catch members 16 are formed of spring metal of suitable thickness, and in their normal position the arms 15 stand vertically with relation to the base band 14, and when-the arms 15 and member 16 are pressed inwardly to engage the threads 7 of the stem 5, such adjustment of these parts will be in opposition vertical or upright position as just .explained. The base ring 14 is vertically cut through or slitted'as at'20, to permit the same to contract for insertion injthe lower .angular bends or bases'17 of the catch members being in close proximity to the lower terminal. walls of the slots 9. The slots 9 are of greater length than the vertical extent of the catch members so that there will be no obstruction to the free action of the said catch members in performing their locking function, or when released with relation'to the threads 7 of the stem 5. The

7 base ring 14 also has a plurality of grips 21,

which are preferably formed integral therewith and depend a requisite distance below the same and are bent around and secure a to the tendency of the same to return to a suitable dust washer 22 closely against the lowerends' of the saicl base ring 14. This dust washer has a central opening' 23 of such diameter that it will closely fit against the threads of the lower extremity of the stem 5 and exclude passage of dust or grit 'fastenmg or locking 'means is very simple.

When the ring 12 is drawn upwardly to bring the semi-conical corrugation 13 over the slots 9, the catch members 16 of the arms 15' are'tree to spring-outwardly through the said slots into the circumferential seat formed by the said semi-conical corrugation. \Vhen theri ng 12 is forced downwardly, the upper-straight portion Qtof the ring will engage the upper terminal portions of the inwardly inclined bendslS of the catch members '16 and gradually force the members inwardly until the grips 19 are fully in engagement with the threads 7 of the stem 5,- and under these conditions the angular bends between the bases 17. and the inclined bends18 ofthe said members 16 will be in contact with the straight. portion 24 of the "ring above the semi-conical corrugation -13 an'dthereby the grips'19 will be positively retained in engagement with a portion of the threads? of'the-stem 5. It will be see-n that when the catch members 16- are in normal position or have moved outwardly V through the slots 9 into the Semi-conical corrugation .13, the cap 8 will beffree to be withdrawn from thestem flIICl-WVliJh the cap the washer 22 is also simultaneously withdrawn and the ring 12remains' in the upwardly 'movecla djustment thereof while the cap is removed, or must beso positioned prior to application of the cap 8 to the stem 5, when the cap may then be again secured against accidental -displacement as hereinbe- "fore explained.

The improved dust cap fastening or look ing means as 'liereinbetore explained is vwholly carried by the cap and'the most essential. feature-thereof, or the arms 15 and catch members 16, are wholly contained' within the cap and the ring 12 which serves "as the means for'permitting release'and etfecting-s-ecurement ot the catch means relatively totlie threads of the valve stem.

The slide ring 12 has heretofore been de' scribed as having an outstruck corrugation of substantially semi-conical shape. It will be understood,however,.that changes in the shape of this corrugation may in some instances be adopted without in the least departing fromthe spirit of the invention, it

only being necessary: to provide'means for pcrmitting the catch members 16 to freely corrugation formed therein, and lockingv means inserted within and enclosed by the cap and comprising a band and arms-projecting therefrom and providcdwith angular catch members-movable throughthe slots otthe cap into the corrugation of the ring by moving the latteryin one direction and also projectible inwardly to engage portions of the stem by a reverse movement of the T1110. V

2? In a device of the class specified, the

combination with a valve stem having exterior threads, of a dust cap removably mounted over the "stem and having slots, a ring slidably mounted on the exterior of the dust cap over the slots and formed with an outstruck portion, and spring locking means I within the cap and provided with catch extremities which are movable outwardly through the slots into the outstruck portion when the latter is over the slots, 'said catch extremities being depressible inwardly to engage a portion o'ffthe'threads of the stem when the ring is moved to shift the outstruck portion away fromthe slots. 1

8. In a device of the class specified, the combination with an exteriorly screw-threaded valve stem, of a 'dust cap having (slots therethroughin the lower portion thereof, locking means consisting ota yieldabl-e base band 'having \arms ;p'roje'cting upwardly therefrom and provided at their upper'terminals with angular catch members which are movable outwardly through the slots of the cap, the said base band also. having clips for engagement with, a dust washer .held

against the lower edge of the band by said clips, the locking means being. inserted "within the lower portion 01": the dust cap and having the dust washerin engagement with the said corrugation, and a rin slidably mounted on the outer side of the dust cap and movable over the said slots otthe latter,

the ring being provided with an outstruck corrugation in the lower portion thereof and an upper straight portion to respectively 'permit'release and effect an inward depression ot the catch members, the catch mem- 125 bers when depressed engaging a portion of the threads of the valve stem and locking the cap in positive enclosing positionover the valve stem.

4;. A device of the class specified, comprising in combination with a valve stem, a dust cap having slots in the lower portion thereof, a sliding ring on the outer side of the cap and movable over the slots, the said ring having a circumferential, outwardly projecting seat formed therein and locking means inserted within a-nd enclosed by the cap and -comprising a base member and arms extending upwardly therefrom at intervals and having catch devices movable through tion and also projectible inwardly to engage portions of the stem by a reverse movement of the ring.

In testlmony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. I

FRANK BENTON. 

